Looking to do something that's a bit different this summer? Seeking adventure, scenery and escape? Perhaps you've considered camping before, but the thought of sleeping on the hard ground, eating hotdogs, and foregoing indoor plumbing stops you cold. Now there's a way to enjoy an outdoor vacation in comfort and style - glamping.

Glamping (glamour camping) is a form of camping that combines the classic tent experience with luxury amenities. High-ceilinged canvas-covered tents or yurts rest on wooden platforms and feature comfy beds with full linens and down comforters, reading lamps, casual seating, ensuite bathrooms, private decks, and personal fire pits. Many resorts even offer chef-catered meals prepared with locally sourced ingredients.

You're probably familiar with high-end camping as staple on African safaris, but the trend has made its way around the world to Europe and now the United States. In California, you can stay at luxury camp grounds in some of the world's most stunning natural settings including mountains, secluded beaches, and next to rivers, lakes and preserves.

Situated on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean just north of Santa Barbara, El Capitan campgrounds offers deluxe safari tents in various sizes and configurations. A tent with 2 double beds and indulgent bedding rents for $155 per night. At Mount Madonna in the majestic Santa Cruz Mountain Range, a 16' yurt with a wrap-around deck, sleeps six and goes for $50 per night during peak season. The yurts are furnished with beds and mattresses, but you have to bring your own sleeping bags. And a tent bungalow at the eco-friendly Costanoa Lodge and Camp outside of quaint Pescadero rents for as low as $90 per night.

The most glamorous properties around the world cost thousands of dollars for a multi-day stay and often include unlimited horseback riding, gourmet meals and a host of other active pursuits.

But whether you spend $50 per night or $1,000, your children will love playing outside all day - exploring tidepools, swimming, cycling, horseback riding, maybe even fishing and hiking. At dark, you can bond around the campfire and share stories. When the kids finally get sleepy, you can tuck them into a comfy clean bed and let them fall asleep to the sweet sounds of nature.